By Samuel Ogude(Warri)
Barely three days to 2023 Governorship elections in the country, over 9000 People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members cut across the 25 local government areas of the state under the auspices of Delta Youth Decide have dumped the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) to All Progressives Congress(APC)just as they have thrown their weight behind the candidacy of Senator Ovie Omo- Agege to be the Governor of Delta State in the next political dispensation.
The body made this known in press conference held on Wednesday in Udu in Udu Local Government Area of the state. In his address to endorse the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo -Agege as the incoming Governor of the state in the next political dispensation, the President of the group, Comrade Ikimi Efekoha said, the group have chosen Senator Ovie Omo- Agege as the candidate that everyone should vote for as he is the best and most qualified candidate to govern the state.
Speaking further, he said they are dumping the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) to All Progressives Party(APC) because the youths are not carried along by PDP led administration saying, the Governor has massive vote in the election which brought him to power but failed to implement the agreement which he reached with the group to appoint at least, two Commissioners and fifteen (15) SAs, adding, the Governor ended up giving them three (3) SAs which was unacceptable.
According to him, despite the huge amount of money that comes to the state, it (state) is under developed. The body therefore frowned at the loans collected by the State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa saying, instead of using same to develop the state, he allegedly converted it to his personal use. Comrade Efekoha said PDP youths also advised the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to settle his political differences with their political leader, Chief James Onanefe Ibori but bluntly refused just as the group frowned at the refusal of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to allow Urhobos to choose their Governor themselves, among others. He said since they (group) were not recognized in PDP- led government, they have to decamp to APC hence they have to heed to the advice of Hon. Lord Keston a well known leader of APC to embrace the APC for them to be valued. He said:”We as PDP youths advised the State Governor to settle his differences with our political leader, Chief James Onanefe Ibori but he refused”.
In an interview, Oghala Francis of Okpe Axis Ward 1- 10 said, they are working seriously to deliver Senator Ovie Omo- Agege in APC as they have earlier worked for PDP but were not given recognition. He said:” Senator Ovie Omo Agege is a master planner, we have almost 350 persons in Okpe axis ready to join others to deliver Agege come March 11 this year”.
On his part, Ogbuotobo Chukwuweike of Ward 7 in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the state said, they have been in PDP for years but nothing was achieved hence they are giving their mandate to APC as they need a change. Not left out is Sunday Okoligbo of Unit 19 and 20 Ekakpamre Ward in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state . He said, they are collapsing the structure of PDP and voting for APC saying, they have seen that the government of PDP never favoured them and the state generally as no meaning development has taken place since the party has been in power.
He said with the Senator Agege as a Governor, there would be growth and development in the state saying, if he (Agege) can bring development to the state as a Senator, he would do more if given the mandate as the Governor of the state. according to him, he is of the belief if Agege wins the election and becomes a Governor, among other things, many of the graduates who ride tricycles popularly called keke would be gainfully employed as he would bring about industries and other human and capital development to the state, a feat which the Governor Okowa could not achieve in his administration. The group therefore called on all members and the state at large to vote for him Senator (Ovie Omo Agege) come March 11 to give the dividends of democracy the people have been yearning for over the years.